When award-winning a cappella ensemble The Idea of North presents Harmonic Histrionic, the singers will be journeying into uncharted territory for the group, with an ambitious program that spans Gergorian Chant to music of the 21st-century.

“The late 19th-century was the earliest we’d ever done before this time,” the ensemble’s Artistic Director and alto Naomi Crellin tells Limelight. “Both Emma, our soprano, and I have studied classical voice and been in classical choirs and ensembles in our youth, and so for us it’s a return to that era – but we’ve had to teach the boys [bass Luke Thompson and tenor Nick Begbie] how to sing like that.”

The Idea of NorthThe Idea of North. Photo supplied

The new program will debut in Hobart as part of the Festival of Voices before moving to Sydney’s City Recital Hall, and some Harmonic Histrionic numbers will also no doubt make it into their performances on the Bravo Cruise of the Performing Arts in November – though the group likes to stay flexible, feeding off other performances programmed and reading the room. “Having over 100 songs in the repertoire makes this possible, and keeps us on our toes!” she says.

The...